Obituary from the San Antonio Light, October 29, 1985:
Dr. Frederick Ritzinger Developed Pressure Suit
Through a combined love of flying and medicine, Dr Frederick Ritzinger developed a high altitude pressure suit for military pilots and gave physicals to air traffic controllers in addition to having a private practice.
Ritzinger and his wife, Norma, were killed Sunday in a traffic accident on U.S. Highway 281 just north of Encino Loop. He was 72, she was 61. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church, Rev. Ralph Shuffler officiating with interment following in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
The Ritzingers were traveling south on U.S. 281 when their car was involved in a head-on collision with a northbound vehicle. They were thrown from their car. The driver of the other car, Frank O. Gebhardt, 28, of Bulverde, was treated and released from Methodist Hospital.
Ritzinger, a general practitioner, was born and reared in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Washington and went to medical school at Illinois University and Duke University. He later earned his Master's Degree in Public Health from Harvard University School of Medicine.
In the early 1960's, he moved to San Antonio when he joined the Air Force. He is credited with developing a high altitude pressure suit designed for flight above 50,000 feet while he was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base in the middle 1960's. After serving 21 years as an Air Force Flight Surgeon, he retired with the rank of colonel and assumed duties as medical director of General Dynamics in St. Louis.
Later, he entered private practice in Universal City and at the same time worked with the Federal Aviation Administration as senior medical examiner. His duties with the FAA included giving physicals to air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel.
He was medical director of Morningside Manor and was also an active member of San Antonio Hangar of Quiet Birdmen as well as many other clubs and organizations. Dr. Ritzinger was honored by the Chinese Air Force as only the second recipient of the Golden Flight Wings for his establishing the first hospital of the Chinese Air Force. He was also recipient of the Air Medal and other commendations.
Mrs. Ritzinger, born in Gowrie, Iowa, was a member of the Bexar County Women's Medical Auxiliary Association, the Woodlake Country Club and was involved in civic activities, including volunteer work at blood banks. She was also past president of the Bel Meade Garden Club. She was the vision screener for St. David's Episcopal Church and a Red Cross volunteer. Mrs. Ritzinger also held several offices in the Air Force Officer's Wives Club.
Survivors include daughters . . . [three]; grandchildren, . . . [four].
Dr. Ritzinger is also survived by brothers . . . [two]. Mrs. Ritzinger is also survived by sisters. . . [two]; and a brother, . . . .
Dr. Frederick Ritzinger Developed Pressure Suit
Through a combined love of flying and medicine, Dr Frederick Ritzinger developed a high altitude pressure suit for military pilots and gave physicals to air traffic controllers in addition to having a private practice.
Ritzinger and his wife, Norma, were killed Sunday in a traffic accident on U.S. Highway 281 just north of Encino Loop. He was 72, she was 61. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church, Rev. Ralph Shuffler officiating with interment following in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
The Ritzingers were traveling south on U.S. 281 when their car was involved in a head-on collision with a northbound vehicle. They were thrown from their car. The driver of the other car, Frank O. Gebhardt, 28, of Bulverde, was treated and released from Methodist Hospital.
Ritzinger, a general practitioner, was born and reared in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Washington and went to medical school at Illinois University and Duke University. He later earned his Master's Degree in Public Health from Harvard University School of Medicine.
In the early 1960's, he moved to San Antonio when he joined the Air Force. He is credited with developing a high altitude pressure suit designed for flight above 50,000 feet while he was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base in the middle 1960's. After serving 21 years as an Air Force Flight Surgeon, he retired with the rank of colonel and assumed duties as medical director of General Dynamics in St. Louis.
Later, he entered private practice in Universal City and at the same time worked with the Federal Aviation Administration as senior medical examiner. His duties with the FAA included giving physicals to air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel.
He was medical director of Morningside Manor and was also an active member of San Antonio Hangar of Quiet Birdmen as well as many other clubs and organizations. Dr. Ritzinger was honored by the Chinese Air Force as only the second recipient of the Golden Flight Wings for his establishing the first hospital of the Chinese Air Force. He was also recipient of the Air Medal and other commendations.
Mrs. Ritzinger, born in Gowrie, Iowa, was a member of the Bexar County Women's Medical Auxiliary Association, the Woodlake Country Club and was involved in civic activities, including volunteer work at blood banks. She was also past president of the Bel Meade Garden Club. She was the vision screener for St. David's Episcopal Church and a Red Cross volunteer. Mrs. Ritzinger also held several offices in the Air Force Officer's Wives Club.
Survivors include daughters . . . [three]; grandchildren, . . . [four].
Dr. Ritzinger is also survived by brothers . . . [two]. Mrs. Ritzinger is also survived by sisters. . . [two]; and a brother, . . . .
Obituary from the San Antonio Light, October 29, 1985:
Dr. Frederick Ritzinger Developed Pressure Suit
Through a combined love of flying and medicine, Dr Frederick Ritzinger developed a high altitude pressure suit for military pilots and gave physicals to air traffic controllers in addition to having a private practice.
Ritzinger and his wife, Norma, were killed Sunday in a traffic accident on U.S. Highway 281 just north of Encino Loop. He was 72, she was 61. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church, Rev. Ralph Shuffler officiating with interment following in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
The Ritzingers were traveling south on U.S. 281 when their car was involved in a head-on collision with a northbound vehicle. They were thrown from their car. The driver of the other car, Frank O. Gebhardt, 28, of Bulverde, was treated and released from Methodist Hospital.
Ritzinger, a general practitioner, was born and reared in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Washington and went to medical school at Illinois University and Duke University. He later earned his Master's Degree in Public Health from Harvard University School of Medicine.
In the early 1960's, he moved to San Antonio when he joined the Air Force. He is credited with developing a high altitude pressure suit designed for flight above 50,000 feet while he was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base in the middle 1960's. After serving 21 years as an Air Force Flight Surgeon, he retired with the rank of colonel and assumed duties as medical director of General Dynamics in St. Louis.
Later, he entered private practice in Universal City and at the same time worked with the Federal Aviation Administration as senior medical examiner. His duties with the FAA included giving physicals to air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel.
He was medical director of Morningside Manor and was also an active member of San Antonio Hangar of Quiet Birdmen as well as many other clubs and organizations. Dr. Ritzinger was honored by the Chinese Air Force as only the second recipient of the Golden Flight Wings for his establishing the first hospital of the Chinese Air Force. He was also recipient of the Air Medal and other commendations.
Mrs. Ritzinger, born in Gowrie, Iowa, was a member of the Bexar County Women's Medical Auxiliary Association, the Woodlake Country Club and was involved in civic activities, including volunteer work at blood banks. She was also past president of the Bel Meade Garden Club. She was the vision screener for St. David's Episcopal Church and a Red Cross volunteer. Mrs. Ritzinger also held several offices in the Air Force Officer's Wives Club.
Survivors include daughters . . . [three]; grandchildren, . . . [four].
Dr. Ritzinger is also survived by brothers . . . [two]. Mrs. Ritzinger is also survived by sisters. . . [two]; and a brother, . . . .
Dr. Frederick Ritzinger Developed Pressure Suit
Through a combined love of flying and medicine, Dr Frederick Ritzinger developed a high altitude pressure suit for military pilots and gave physicals to air traffic controllers in addition to having a private practice.
Ritzinger and his wife, Norma, were killed Sunday in a traffic accident on U.S. Highway 281 just north of Encino Loop. He was 72, she was 61. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. David's Episcopal Church, Rev. Ralph Shuffler officiating with interment following in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
The Ritzingers were traveling south on U.S. 281 when their car was involved in a head-on collision with a northbound vehicle. They were thrown from their car. The driver of the other car, Frank O. Gebhardt, 28, of Bulverde, was treated and released from Methodist Hospital.
Ritzinger, a general practitioner, was born and reared in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Washington and went to medical school at Illinois University and Duke University. He later earned his Master's Degree in Public Health from Harvard University School of Medicine.
In the early 1960's, he moved to San Antonio when he joined the Air Force. He is credited with developing a high altitude pressure suit designed for flight above 50,000 feet while he was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base in the middle 1960's. After serving 21 years as an Air Force Flight Surgeon, he retired with the rank of colonel and assumed duties as medical director of General Dynamics in St. Louis.
Later, he entered private practice in Universal City and at the same time worked with the Federal Aviation Administration as senior medical examiner. His duties with the FAA included giving physicals to air traffic controllers and other FAA personnel.
He was medical director of Morningside Manor and was also an active member of San Antonio Hangar of Quiet Birdmen as well as many other clubs and organizations. Dr. Ritzinger was honored by the Chinese Air Force as only the second recipient of the Golden Flight Wings for his establishing the first hospital of the Chinese Air Force. He was also recipient of the Air Medal and other commendations.
Mrs. Ritzinger, born in Gowrie, Iowa, was a member of the Bexar County Women's Medical Auxiliary Association, the Woodlake Country Club and was involved in civic activities, including volunteer work at blood banks. She was also past president of the Bel Meade Garden Club. She was the vision screener for St. David's Episcopal Church and a Red Cross volunteer. Mrs. Ritzinger also held several offices in the Air Force Officer's Wives Club.
Survivors include daughters . . . [three]; grandchildren, . . . [four].
Dr. Ritzinger is also survived by brothers . . . [two]. Mrs. Ritzinger is also survived by sisters. . . [two]; and a brother, . . . .
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